Gekko or vyper ?

[Digger]

Keith, you might not be knocking Vytecs, but I am. They're cack. What's the point? If you want a single mix computer then great, buy a Gekko. If you want a 3 mix computer then lovely but surely you're goign to be into deco with all those gases? And you want something which has a bit more to it than the Vytec for that sort of diving - VR3/Shearwater. If you are indeco with a Suunto then welcome to the bend and mend club. You leave the bottom and it's not uncommon to have a "off you go chief, get yourself to 5m and stay there for half an hour" with nothing inbetween. Why? Because it's a recreational diving computer, not a VR3. If you want to do nitrox diving single mix then great, the Gekko does the job. With a few minutes to do the Gekko will keep track of that for you. If you're racking up any decent amount of deco then the Vytec is not the tool for the job.

"Air integration" I hear you cry. Nope, another bad idea. Just not necessary at all. Get a gauge, learn how much reserve you need to leave to make a safe ascent, and follow it. Too many people blindly following AI computers with no idea if they're accurate or not.

The Gekko is the weapon of choice. If you need more than a Gekko you need a VR3/Shearwater or some tables and your Gekko in gauge mode.

Oh, and while you're all there, get a DSS boot for the computer from Phil. They're really very nice indeed. Honest. I got one for Jen and I wish I had a gekko now

Digs.

[msdkeith]

I couldn't comment on Vytecs et al cos I've never used them, I got a Gecko for my OW course and I've stuck with it.

When I start going onto more deco related diving I'll be diving to a pre-planned profile with the stops etc on a slate, Freeflow told me it's bad practice to rely solely on computers and that seems good advice.

Gecko can cope with enriched air and I reckon a combo of the 'puter and some slate table profiles will see me into the next stage of my diving.

Given that I dive a Dolphin, I'm currently restricted to 40M so deco calculations aren't massively complex.

[tom]

Originally Posted by Digger

The Gekko is the weapon of choice. If you need more than a Gekko you need a VR3/Shearwater or some tables and your Gekko in gauge mode.

Are you sure the Gekko has a gauge mode? I don't think it has, which makes it useless for anything other than single mix diving (unless you plan to bend it and put up with it beeping all the way home).

Originally Posted by msdkeith

When I start going onto more deco related diving I'll be diving to a pre-planned profile with the stops etc on a slate,

For which you need a computer that has a gauge mode (or a simple bottom timer). Again, I'm pretty sure the Gekko does not have a gauge mode - which means you won't be able to use it for this. EDIT: actually, that's not quite true as long as you are only diving a single mix and are prepared to ignore the differences in your tables and what the computer says.

[Digger]

ooh, now that could sway me a bit. In which case, use your Gekko for however long you can get away with it, then sell it on ebay and get a dive timer. Sorted. You get £50 into the deal as well that way! Brilliant!

Just out of interest, why don't Uwatec make a dive timer with backlight? I'd buy one, and I can't think of many others who wouldn't. They'd be brilliant.

Digs.

[Brick]

I think you're correct in that the Gekko doesn't have a gauge mode but a bottom timer does... and they're MUCH cheaper! I don't think I'm ever going to get much value out of my Vytec as it I didn't really use any of the extra features to any great extent before I got a VR3. If you're doing the kind of diving where you're into a lot of deco, I'd agree with Digger that you shouldn't be relying on the Suunto computers and have backup tables. The Vytec has a lovely gauge mode which counts down seconds as well as minutes but as a dive timer, it's a bit overkill!

[Brick]

Or a divetimer that counted down seconds...

I would think that if they had a backlight, the batteries wouldn't last anywhere near as long. Of course, they could make the batteries user replaceable...

[Digger]

They are user replaceable if you have a load of tools and are prepared to get quite grumpy with them. That said, it's not worth the £25 that they change hands for virtually new.

They're never on for long, just when in use, so I'd expect them to last a fair old while. Or a phosphorescent screen like the Gekko would be nice. Or a little LED thingy on the top so its lit up, and it could be powered by a small caterpillar which would live in the housing. OK, maybe I'm asking for a bit much.

Seconds are irrelevant in deco diving for me. Round up to the next minute, you might as well. Plus deco schedules aren't as precise as all that, so no bother there.

OK, so maybe my advice on the Gekkpo thing doesn't quite stand up, but if its your first computer and you're doing air and nitrox diving its unbeatable. And when it comes to it you can pass it on to your new diving floozie you'll meet within weeks of joining the dive club, who will want it for all that fish prodding at 20m

Digs.

[Brick]

I'd agree that seconds are a luxury, but I like something to do on my ascents and getting the rate as close to perfect as possible is the best I've come up with so far... (I'm easily amused and any kind of a challenge is enough)

[sleaford_diver]

I got a gekko and have converted it no problem

[stabjacket]

I bought a Gekko for my first dive computer after 3 months of diving and have not regretted it.

It is simple to use, gives the same deco as the more expensive suunto computers (my buddy dives with a cobra and we get same deco/ times) it will download to a computer (and is easier to do than you may have heard- it does not damage your Gekko)

I really like this computer, and whilst i think to myself it would be nice to have the faciltity of gas switching for the future, it is a long way off in my diving.

As for the back light, apart from night diving i doubt you would notice, (i have never seen my buddy use the backlight of his cobra) and even then the phospherencent display has its benefits.

Just think of where you are in your diving, right now a Gekko may be all you need, allowing some features such as nitox for the future. At the price it is new it is a bargain either way.

If you have any quesions about this computer, give me a pm.

Stab